Kate's Cuttings

Crocus - I think it's Thomasinus - looked gorgeous in the sun this morning. They have naturalised in the grass among big clumps of 'Februray Gold' daffodils. Who knows, perhaps they may even be out together in decent numbers this year. Daffs are in bud and the weather is kind so we may get lucky! Read more…

A recent gap left by a large, nearly dead sycamore needed some serious and creative thought. A safari style hut seemed the best choice and great pal Alan came up both with a design and the skill and energy to build it. Will be fab, especially when we get the giraffe sorted. Never let it be said we have run out of ideas at 'Charnwood'! Especially when Lauraine is around... In case you are wondering, Peter had just arrived back from a bike ride. Read more…

Just back from a week on the Costa del Sol so not happy, it's cold! Bright blue skies replaced by murky grey. Some interesting gardens, one in the beautiful old town at Ronda at the Casa del Rey Moro. The house was actually never the home of the Moorish King. It was built in the 18th Century, when Moorish Spain was already a distant memory. Its apparently Moorish gardens (see picture) are even more recent, having been designed by the French landscape gardener, Jean Claude Forestier, in 1912. But it is typical of southern spanish gardens and reminded me of the Alhambra, albeit on a much... Read more…

Gorgeous day, but blooming cold. Long tailed and blue tits seem oblivous, chatting away and hopping about the rosemary outside the office window. Peter took a photo of the wheelbarrow - Cecil Beaton eat your heart out... Read more…

Hello winter! I thought it would never arrive. Some days in the garden in December and early January felt more like early spring – birds singing, bulbs coming through, no coat. I was weeding, mulching, pruning and trying not to get lulled into a false sense of security. It was great to be out and doing proper gardening in the middle of winter (I was even spreading mushroom compost on Christmas Day!), but when the serious and regular frosts arrived it did feel like the natural order of things had returned. A rather comforting thought now I am well into my middle age. I hope you all got y... Read more…

A wander round the garden this morning with the birds singing and the sun shining cheered me up no end. In flower or looking good at the moment at 'Charnwood': a white Christmas Rose under a red stemmed dogwood, Virburnum Tinus 'Eve Price - lovely pink buds opening white, and the bright leaves of a variegated holly livening up the back garden.It will soon be Spring! Read more…

'Charnwood' is open through the National Garden Scheme on the afternoons of Sunday 6 and Monday 7 May 2012. There will be a 'Kates Cuttings' plant stall and teas courtesy of Friends of South Wolds School. Read more…

From 10.30 am • Would you like tips and ideas for plant combinations and colourful borders? • Would you like to extend the season of colour and interest in your garden? Come and share a morning in the garden at ‘Charnwood’ with Kate where she will answer your questions and talk to you about her successes and failures over the last 24 years. To be followed by a delicious home made light lunch by Kate’s (experienced) chef husband, Peter, and a glass of wine. Prior booking essential. For tickets (£28) please email Kate@katescuttings.net or ring 0115 9375148 Read more…

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Books: How to use colour effectively in the garden and some good plant combinations: Christopher Lloyd Colour for Adventurous Gardeners (BBC books) Sarah Raven The Bold and Brilliant Garden (Frances Lincoln) My two favourite books on garden design: John Brookes Garden Design (DK) Piet Oudolf with Noel Kingsbury Designing with Plants (Conran Octopus) Good, general books and gardening diaries: Beth Chatto Woodland Garden (Cassell) Monty Don The Ivington Diaries (Bloomsbury) Christopher Lloyd Garden Flowers (Domino) Christopher Lloyd In My Gar... Read more…